You know our famous IBKC pink basket. The one I purchased for Butterbean back in 2006 when she was just a wee thing? The one that's held over 50 litters of kittens and been washed as many times? The one that's been photographed a squillion times?
Well,t's starting to get a little worn and it's starting to uncoil. I've had to repair it on many occasions, but one of these days, we're going to have to retire it.
I did some searching online, dug pretty deep, and finally figured out who manufactured it -- a wholesale company called Carrie Belle's Calicos. I sent an email to see if I would be able to place an order ad get a couple for us and some for our kitty-wrangling friends, too. I got a quick response delivering the disappointing news that they were no longer in business.
Boo.
This basket it the perfect kitten basket: the weight, the size, it's durable, washable and the kittens love it. I dread the day we have to say goodbye to it.
I know there are similar things out on the market, but it really is this exact style of basket by this company that I'm looking for. It's perfection.
There must be a couple of them out there in the world, hiding on a shelf in the back of a pet store SOMEWHERE. If you happen to see one, do lets know. I'll be watching ebay and hoping one pop up there.
Until them, I'll just keep on repairing it, because as I mentioned before, kittens do love it.
Right Marigold?
Right.
UPDATE: Thanks to super sleuth Kelly, baskets have been located and I have ordered 2, which should get us through the next 20 years!! HOORAY! Thank you, Kelly!!
Peek a boo! I see you!
ReplyDeleteGood luck finding a good replacement when the day comes.
Not the same one but I found this on Ebay: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Braided-Fabric-Basket-With-Handles-Green-Blue-Plaid-Carrie-Belles-SC-New-NWT-/322312429707?hash=item4b0b51608b:g:wfUAAOSw9IpXxzwI
ReplyDeleteI've been watching ebay, and did see that one pop up. It's tiny, and only 7.5 inches in diameter. Ours is at least 14 inches. Thank you for checking!
DeleteA clever crocheter could make one using recycled t-shirts and washable yarn. Just sayin'. (I crochet but am not that clever at it.)
ReplyDeleteHere is one example: http://woolpedia.de/english/crochet-tutorials/basket/
The pink basket is made using a coil method with fabric wrapped rope. It's thick, heavy, and really durable. We've had crochet fabric baskets, but they're not quite as strong and don't hold their shape when washed. I'm really hoping to find this exact style basket because it is the perfect basket. Thank you for the idea, Shea.
DeleteSo the primary difference between this basket and a regular machine-stitched rope basket seems to be the fabric wrapping is a single color, and the yarn is added as more of a decorative touch than to hold the basket together. Is that correct, or is it the yarn only that holds the basket together?
DeleteThe yarn is wrapped around the coils and the basket is stitched together with a transparent thread. This is how they are made: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a8l-Jx8v8to
DeleteNot exactly the same, but possibly quite sturdy, also, might be the fabric bowls made with thick clothes line that's wrapped in fabric. If it's sewn with clear thread, it would hold together pretty well. And it would be washable, because the clothes line is cotton. How sturdy it is depends on how close together the zigzag stitches are that join together the rows. I'm not selling this, it's just one I found on eBay that shows a rope bowl: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Handmade-Rope-Bowl-/152271013181?hash=item23740f453d:g:8PUAAOSw-itXqS-X. If you Google rope bowl, there are quite a lot of them out there, plus lots of tutorials on how to make them. The rope can be acquired at Joann Fabrics, among other places, in their laundry and ironing section. You just hand wrap the fabric strips around the rope as you go along, and shape the bowl as desired. Needs a heavier needle to do, but except for the rope coming out of a process that wraps the fabric around it and the yarn around it already, it's the same sewing process to make one as in the video you linked to.
DeleteOr this one made from bedsheets:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.kits-crafts.com/home/basket-of-sheets
I sense either a big charity CAL or a niche market opening up.
If you do a search for "Fabric Baskets Woven" (or crocheted) on Etsy, you may find some for sale. And it doesn't look
ReplyDeletethat hard to make, either. May be instructions somewhere. Fabric store?
There are lots of instructions on the net for Coiled Fabric Basket, too. Go for it!
ReplyDeleteYou are very artistic and a crafter!
How about this link? They are in South Carolina and look kitten sized http://cbcalicos.com/product/fruit/
ReplyDeleteThat is THE basket, and the same out of business company! Thanks for looking!
DeleteThey are called clothesline baskets because the fabric is wrapped around clothesline rope.
ReplyDeleteI think this one might be too small as well.
ReplyDeletehttp://goshopfornicehome.com/carrie-belles-calicos-braided-basket/
Truly adorable!
ReplyDeleteOr if you have Euros laying around...
ReplyDeletehttps://wishboxusa.co.uk/collections/carrie-belle-s-calicos-1/products/cat-bed-fleece
Not the same color but maybe will work? (Scroll down) http://bungalowpet.com/fabric_leather_beds.htm
ReplyDeleteSorry for the double post!
DeleteNot quite the same, but appear to be in stock (scroll down): http://bungalowpet.com/fabric_leather_beds.htm
ReplyDeleteOr there are others that make similar: https://www.etsy.com/shop/QuiltedBliss?ref=l2-shopheader-name
ReplyDeleteLaurie - what about this one that I found on eBay? The vendor appears to have several in different colors, and they're washable!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.ebay.com/itm/Cat-Bed-Small-Round-Peach-Pink-White-Braided-Fabric-Basket-Made-USA-Wash-/401187412393?hash=item5d68a219a9:g:H-IAAOSwBahVHEeh
That looks like it's exactly the same! Thank you! Ordering now!
DeleteOh my, I think I want one also - but a large for my big cats. That shop may sell out faster than anticipated now!
DeleteLaurie - you're welcome! Glad I could help!
DeleteThey sell them at Madcat in Madison WI. Maybe they'd be be willing to mail you one since they are cat people.
ReplyDeleteIf there were holy items of kitten fostering, that basket would be one of them. I hope you can find a replacement. I understand what you're going through. My aunt gave me this awesome quilt that's been on my bed for nearly 20 years. I had to retire it earlier this year. You can tell it was much loved like your basket.
ReplyDeleteYears of seeing IBKC posts and this series of photos might be my favorite. Marigold peeking over the top with her bright, curious eyes. Her little ears. Her little claws. Absolutely adorable.
ReplyDeleteLove Miss Marigold's Hide & Seek game in THE BASKET. Glad to hear you found a replacement or two.
ReplyDeleteWay to go Kelly!
ReplyDeleteand yes, Marigold looks particularly adorable peeking out of this greatly loved basket.
Linda
I'm going to order at least one for my geriatric girls, to stop those winter drafts. Kelly, you rock! And Marigold is beyond adorable in the basket, which is indeed, a kitten fostering relic!
ReplyDeletePeggy (on behalf of Diva and Chloe)
Laurie, for those of us attempting to make one just like yours, what are your basket's upper diameter, bottom diameter, and height? TIA!
ReplyDeleteAbout 14" and 10"
Delete